Spanish justice summons former Venezuelan colonel Verdú Torrelles, wanted in Argentina

Spanish courts have summoned former Venezuelan National Bolivarian Guard (GNB) colonel Ephraín Enrique Verdú Torrelles to appear via videoconference on June 10. He faces extradition to Argentina, where federal courts accuse him of murder, a crime classified as crimes against humanity, stemming from events during Venezuelan protests in 2014.

Argentine authorities issued an extradition request in February after receiving information that Verdú Torrelles was residing in Spain. The process follows standard extradition procedures. If Verdú Torrelles consents to extradition, it will proceed. However, if he opposes it, the case will be transferred to the Criminal Chamber for a further hearing on the matter. In 2014, Colonel Verdú Torrelles served as the second commander of the Urban Security Detachment (Desur) in Tocuyito, Carabobo state.

Since 2023, Argentine justice has been processing a case against the Nicolás Maduro government for crimes against humanity in Venezuela, based on a complaint filed by the Argentine Forum for the Defense of Democracy (FADD). This complaint utilized the principle of universal jurisdiction, allowing countries to prosecute serious human rights violations regardless of where they occurred or the nationalities involved.

In June 2023, the Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ) filed another complaint with Argentine Federal Justice, seeking an investigation into human rights violations by Venezuelan security forces. This complaint focused on two homicide victims, whose identities remain confidential to protect their families. InterJust, which now represents these complainants, revealed that one victim was Rosa Orozco, mother of Geraldin Moreno Orozco, a 23-year-old student killed by GNB agents in February 2014 during a protest in Carabobo state. Sources indicate Verdú Torrelles commanded the Carabobo Urban Security detachment and oversaw operations during the protests when these events occurred. The second case involves J.A.M.F., who documented security forces' repression of a peaceful protest in Caracas on February 19, 2014. He was pursued, shot at (though not hit), apprehended, beaten without resistance, and sustained injuries leading to his death four days later in the hospital.

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The judge of the Audiencia Nacional of Spain Ismael Moreno has summoned the ex-colonel to appear via videoconference on June 10 to state whether or not he consents to his extradition to Argentina.